Bicycle Makeover Complete!

I have been in LOVE with Pashley bikes ever since we arrived in the UK but unfortunately, our budget just didn't stretch far enough to buy one and with their collection of classic bikes ranging from £525 - £995, I'm sure I'm not alone. 

Pashley Cycles have been hand building British bicycles in Stratford-Upon-Avon since 1926, and have named their new special edition model the ‘Britannia’ to reflect their pride in British manufacturing. The vintage styled Britannia cycle is based on their popular Pashley Princess and features a hand built frame, traditional wicker basket and comes in a choice of red, white or blue. 

Get the look for less

Those of you who read my post on Cool Bike Accessories may remember me mentioning 
that I was planning to give my Raleigh bicycle a makeover. Johnny was busy studying over the weekend, so I thought I'd give it a go and I couldn't be more thrilled with the results!!! 

Here are the before and after photos: 

BEFORE: Boring old Raleigh Oakland Hybrid. (Image flipped for comparison).

AFTER: What do you think? The whole transformation was SUPER easy and cost less than £15!

Here's how I did it:
1. Start by give your bike a really thorough clean and leave it to dry
2. Next, remove all the stickers using a hairdryer. A little heat makes them really easy to peel off.
3. Remove the wheels and mud guards, or find a handy man who can! (Thanks Johnny). It's not as hard as it sounds, but if you need some help, check out this You Tube clip for instructions.
4. Place your bike upside down on a drop cloth and let the fun begin.
5. Don't forget to paint the mud and chain guard, for a classic 'Pashley' look.

Tip: Hammerite metal paint is fantastic as it only requires one coat and you can even paint straight over rust. The only thing I found a bit tricky is that it is quite thick and sticky. Work quickly and avoid going over any areas you've already painted for a nice smooth finish. Be careful not to over-apply or the paint will sag. If you have the space, use spray paint instead. It's much quicker and will give you a super smooth finish.

What you'll need:

 

1. 250ml Hammerite Smooth 'Wild Thyme' Metal Paint - £7.98

2. A 12mm Fine Finish Paint Brush - 2.98

3. 750ml White Spirit - £2.48 

4. A drop cloth

5. Disposable gloves (Pack of 8) - £0.98 

...and if you can stretch the budget, these accessories will really help polish off the look: 

6. Quick Release Wicker Basket - £19.99

7. Leather Handlebar Grips - £15.00

8. Leather-look FWE Trail Saddle - £24.99

9. and this oversized Pashley 8mm Bicycle Bell- £19.95! 

Feeling inspired? I'd love to see YOUR before and after photos. 

Share them with our readers here.

Cool bike accessories

Sadly, like almost everyone in Oxford, I own a burgundy, ladies, Raleigh hybrid. You know the one. Nice, basic, entry level bike with nothing too special about it. But as any fashionista will tell you, it's all about the accessories daaar-ling! So why let our bikes be the exception?

Honored by Architizer as one of the Ten Best Bike-related Design Innovations of 2011, this neat leather Frame Cinch secures just about anything (narrow) to the top tube of your bike.

Two leather Frame Cinches can also be used  to neatly secure your brolly.

Here's something we could all use in Oxford, a Drybike brolly holder!

I know most people usually use TomTom when they're driving, but am I the only one who gets lost whilst cycling? With this GoRide - Bike Mount for iPhone 3G/3GS I'll never be lost again. GoRide is also great for using iPhone bike apps like; iMapMyRide, EveryTrail, Trail Blazer, Cychosis, RunKeeper and MotionX-GPS to track your progress and map your ride.

If you like cycling and you like wine, you’re going to love this! Oopsmark's Bicycle Wine Rack attaches easily to any 1″ bike frame and holds the bottle securely with a hidden clamp.

Who says that bicycle bags have to look like… bicycle bags? This Frame Bag by Retrovelo is super stylish and provides two compartments, perfect for A4 notebooks or your laptop.

This Walnut Barrel Bag is also super cute and perfect for carrying smaller items like keys, sunglasses, and phones. 

Need a good coffee to start your day? The LugCup coffee holder has got you covered.

Now you're really going to think I'm an alcoholic but this Bicycle Can Cage can be used for other things than a beer you know! And last but not least, don't miss the Spoke Lites I posted late last year. 

These are just a few of my favorites, but there are lots more out there. What do you think? Have you found any beauties of your own? I'd love to hear any other fun ways you've personalised your bike. 

Speaking of which, I've decided to let you all in on a little secret. I'm going to give my bike a makeover. I'll post the before and after photos soon, but in the mean time, wish me luck!

Update: My bicycle makeover is now complete. Take a peek.

Oxford Guide: Oxford's Superstores

Buying your weekly groceries in Oxford can become a bit of a drag. Most of the stores are tiny, offer poor selections and have little or no parking. As a result, you may find yourself visiting lots of different stores to find everything on your shopping list only to find yourself limited by what you can physically carry home. One solution is to give online shopping a go, but if that's not your style, try one of Oxford’s Superstores. They’re HUGE! 

Check out this wacky Cart Bike designed by Ryan McFarland! Now there's a man on a mission.

Where you’ll find them

Sainsbury’s  - The Westgate Centre, Oxford OX1 1PA (Central Oxford)

Sainsbury’s  - 289 Oxford Rd, Kidlington, OX5 2PE (North Oxford)                

Sainsbury’s  - Heyford Hill, Littlemore OX4 4XR (South Oxford)

Tesco - Oxford Retail Park, Cowley OX4 6XJ (East Oxford)

Asda - London Rd, Wheatley OX33 1YZ (West Oxford)

Bonus: There’s loads of parking and some stores even offer a hand car wash while you shop.

Tip: Avoid visiting on the weekends and allow yourself plenty of time! 

The Ville urban folding bicycle designed by Hyuk-Jae Chang

Other stores with parking include:

M&S Simply Food - Banbury Rd, Summertown OX2 7GB (North Oxford)

The Co-op - Banbury Rd, Summertown OX2 7BY (North Oxford)

Tesco – Cowley Rd, Oxford OX4 1UT (South-East Oxford)

Waitrose - Old High Street, Headington OX3 9JT (East Oxford)                       

Aldi - Botley Rd Oxford OX2 0HA (West Oxford)     

If anyone has come up with any ingenious ways of carrying their groceries home 

by bicycle, I'd LOVE to hear them. I'll be including a few snazzy accessories in my next post, so stay tuned.

Cycle Safety

For many newcomers, the idea of riding in Oxford can be a little daunting at first, but if you can 

drive a car you are off to a great start -  the same road rules apply to cyclists as to drivers! Be mindful of what’s around you, but try not to be too intimidated by the cars. Motorists in Oxford are used to sharing the road with hundreds of cyclists each day and are generally very courteous.  

Here are some safety tips to get you off to a great start

·     Forget your hairdo, wear a helmet. (Note: it is not compulsory to wear a helmet in the UK).

·     Don’t wear clothes or carry bags that might get tangled in the chain or wheels of your bike.     

·     Give clear signals to show other road users your intention.

·     Leave plenty of room when passing parked cars and watch out for opening doors!

·     Always look well ahead for obstructions and avoid swerving suddenly to pass them.

·     Watch out for pedestrians! The footpaths in Oxford are very narrow and they often 

      step onto the road, oblivious to cyclists behind them.

For more cycle safety tips, check out The Oxford Fresher's guide to 'Buying a Bicycle.'

Folding Bikes

I admit when I first saw people riding around on these funny looking contraptions, I thought they were the most ridiculous things I had ever seen - But everyone’s entitled to change their minds aren’t they? Now that I understand what a folding bike is (having never seen one before moving to Oxford), I almost wish I had bought one. 

Ridgeback Folding Attache, Matt Black - Approx £599.99

Advantages of Folding Bikes 
·       folding bikes are perfect for space-challenged urban commuters 

·       are ideal for multi-modal travel, i.e. cycling to the station and catching the train
·       can be taken on all forms of public transport for free
·       will fit in the boot of your car, so there's no need for car racks
·       can easily be stored inside, under a desk or in the corner, reducing the risk of theft
·       are generally sold in one size only that can be adjusted to suit the whole family
·       have a high re-sale value, so make good investments

Ridgeback Folding Rendezvous, Matte Grey - Approx £279.99

Disadvantages of Folding bikes

·       they are more expensive than conventional models

·       designs are more complicated, which means that more parts can go wrong 

·       the short wheel base can translate to a rougher ride on bumpy ground 

·       wide wheels and suspension are a must if you are riding any distance

How much do Folding Bikes cost?
Although the most popular type of bike ridden in Oxford remains the Hybrid, I'm sure you'll agree that "folders" have much to offer. Favoured brands amongst Oxford cyclists include the Ridgeback and Brompton and cheaper "quality" models start at around £250. From here, prices can range up to around £1000, but as with conventional bikes, the higher the cost, the better the components and the lighter the bike.

When it comes to buying a bicycle, whatever shape it may be, you'll save yourself a whole lot of time, money and frustration if you get it right the first time, so it's important to do your research. For lots of great tips on buying a bicycle and riding in Oxford, check out:
The Oxford Fresher's Guide to Buying a Bicycle.

 

Cath Kidston Bike Seat Covers

You heard it here first folks. Cath Kidston bike seat covers are coming to a store near you. For those of you that read my post in November entitled 'Rain coat for bicycle seats' it looks as though or friends at Cath Kidston were listening. Due to popular demand, bike seat covers have been added to the collection. Here is a sneak peek of the very first design to hit stores next week.

This 'Be A Good Sport' bike seat cover will be available for purchase both in store and online from the 17th of January, so you can say goodbye to your squishy-just-been-rained-on bicycle seats. Tuck one of these bike seat covers into your bag in case of unexpected showers and stay 
dry in style.

Cath Kidston 'Be A Good Sport' Bike Seat Cover £3.50

Winter riding tips

Aside from red noses and frozen fingers another common problem for Oxford cyclists in winter are frozen bike cables. You’ll know if your cables are frozen if you can’t apply your brakes - Not something you want to discover once you have begun riding as I did, so always check your brakes before setting out!  

Frozen brakes are caused by moisture collecting inside the brake cables. The quickest remedy is to give the cables a gentle pull, however this will only offer a short-term solution. To get to the bottom of the problem, you'll need to buy some bike lubricant and wait until the next time your bike is completely dry. Lubricate your brake levers and cable housings making sure you get the oil all the way through the housing. This will act as a barrier for any water that would otherwise find its way inside and freeze the housing.  

For more winter riding tips, check out The Oxford Fresher's Guide to 'Buying a Bicycle'. 
Photo: Drybike brolly holder. 

Cath Kidston Messenger Bag

On Friday night, Oxford celebrated the start of Christmas with its annual Christmas Light Night event and with only 17 more sleeps before the big day, I thought it was high time we had an 'Oxford' inspired gift idea for the ladies. 

Bag £65.00 ‘City of Oxford’ Iron-on patch £1.95

This Cath Kidston messenger bag can be worn across the body and makes a perfect companion for Oxford cyclists. It comes complete with leather trims, tartan lining and quirky travel inspired patches. There’s even room on the back to add a few of your own. You’ll be spoilt for choice in Oxford, but I found these iron-on patches at the Oxford Tourist Information Office.

Cath Kidston 6 Broad Street, Oxford.

Oxford Tourist Information Centre 15-16 Broad Street, Oxford.

Light up your wheels with Spoke Lit!

I found these Spoke Lites whilst doing a little research for the 'cycle safety' chapter in the 'Fresher's Guide' and thought they were just terrific. Ever since I've been itching to share them, but have held off until now so that I could include them as my 6th 'Oxford' inspired gift idea. What true Oxford cyclist wouldn't want to find a set of these Spoke Lites at the bottom of their Christmas stocking? 

Spoke Lites are not only super cool, their bright LED lights glow or flash whilst you're riding and ensure you are visible to other traffic. Whilst flashing, Spoke Lites trace dashed arcs of light behind you as you ride, or the glow mode keeps the wheels consistently illuminated -  Just like a light saber for your bike! Star Wars fan or not, you're sure to feel invincible when riding with Spoke Lites.
 

Available in orange, green, red, blue and disco! Here

Zappi's Bike Cafe

Good coffee is hard to find...especially when it's hidden in a bike store! Named after ex-pro cyclist, Flavio Zappi, and hidden above Bike Zone in St. Michael's Street, it's no wonder cyclists have been trying to keep it secret. Zappi's Bike Cafe serves the best coffee in Oxford!  

It certainly hasn't taken locals long to sniff out a good coffee. I visited Zappi’s twice on the weekend and both times it was packed to the rafters, quite literally. Located at the back of the upstairs showroom, the café is decorated with all sorts of cycling memorabilia hanging from the walls and rafters. If you can squeeze yourself in-between all the buzzing Lycra-clad bodies, you’ll be in for a treat. The two guys who run this place (both named Dan!) are serious about their caffeine.   

Not only is the coffee excellent, Zappi’s also serves a selection of loose-leaf teas supplied from local company, Jeeves & Jericho. There are also lots of great lunchtime eats and a couple of treats for breaky, but you'll find it hard to resist the large selection of homemade cakes. All I can say is I’m glad the Lycra uniform is not compulsory! 

Zappi’s Cycling Club, (run by Flavio himself) uses Zappi's cafe as its base. Organised rides depart from the here three times a week and all cyclists are welcome, from triathletes to sportive riders and road racers. For everything you need to know about buying a bike and cycling in Oxford check out The Oxford Fresher's guide to 'Buying a Bicycle.'

 Zappi's Bike Cafe 28 -32 St. Michael's St, Oxford, OX1 2EB